International Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin, China Jan 5, 2024

Harbin, in Heilongjiang, the northernmost province of China, welcomes an icy twist in January by opening its doors to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. This festival traces its origins to a humble garden party that featured ice lanterns in 1963 and has since evolved into an event where sculptors from around the world came together to create sculptures from the frozen waters of the Songhua River. This wonderland has towering castles, lanterns and intricate sculptures, all made of ice. In 2007, "Romantic Feelings," the world"s largest snow sculpture at 35 metres in height, was created here in the shape of an Olympic-themed artwork. During the evenings, multicoloured lights illuminate the translucent sculptures, adding another layer of charm. While exploring Harbin, you can try alpine skiing, and if you"re feeling brave, winter swimming in the Songhua River.

© WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

City of ice
Jan 5, 2025Pushkarni, Sri Krishna Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
Jan 5, 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
Dec 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!
Clouds dance above Sundance
Stealthy pollinators
Reflecting its stylish past today
Apr 6, 2025Dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Where can you find this cute creature?
Natures boost fruit
Jul 15, 2025Muchalinda Sarovar, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Dec 3, 2025Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Aug 9, 2024Hang Sơn Đoòng, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam
Jul 24, 2024Flock of Swaledale sheep in North Yorkshire, England
High above the Aegean Sea
Mar 25, 2025Tolkien Reading Day
Black-and-white bovines
Look up, incoming…
Dec 1, 2023Ross Sea, Antarctica
Aug 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Where are these magnificent cliffs?
Apr 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
Mar 19, 2024Tree frog on leaf
Dec 8, 2023La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey
Oct 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire, United States
Apr 27, 2025Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
Feb 14, 2026Happy Valentines Day!
Sep 21, 2024Munich, Germany
Stretching to the sky
An architectural wonder in Rajasthan
Jan 21, 2024Eurasian red squirrel
Jan 3, 2024Virupaksha temple, Hampi, Karnataka